Chattogram: In the backdrop of 54 accidents killing 40 people and injuring 73 others in the last few months, protesters representing different segments of society today formed a human chain demanding immediate plans to expand the existing Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway into six lanes.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, of the fatal road mishaps on the highway in the last three months, 17 were killed and 30 injured in two separate accidents within a span of 72 hours at Zangalia Mazar Gate under Lohagara upazila of the district on and after Eid-ul-Fitr day.
The human chain program was held in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office expressing grave concern over the growing number of road accidents and fatalities on the narrow highway, particularly in the area stretching up to Lohagara upazila in southern Chattogram. The organizers submitted a memorandum to the Chief Advisor of the interim government through the Deputy Commissioner, drawing quick attention to the issue.
Political leaders, lawyers, teachers, journalists, and representatives from various socio-cultural bodies participated in the human chain program. The protesters warned of launching tougher protest programs by April 30 if the government doesn’t respond positively to their demand.
“On each Eid occasion and major holidays, people of south Chattogram met tragic accidents on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway. People with their families used to visit their ancestral village homes to celebrate Eids or holidaymakers from several parts of the country tours towards different tourist destinations, but hopes of many tourists smashed on the road due to tragic accidents,” the protesters said.
Terming Cox’s Bazar an international tourist hub, the organizers highlighted that the highway is dangerously narrow and dilapidated at many points, leading to frequent accidents claiming lives of many innocent people. Emon Mohammad, a central organizer of the Democratic Student Council, elaborated on the specific challenges posed by the current road structure and shape at the protest program.
“We want a proper six-lane road with a midpoint divider. The road is so narrow that even two buses cannot pass safely. Water that leaks from salt-carrying trucks often makes the road wet and slippery. Reckless driving of CNG-run three-wheelers and battery-run auto-rickshaws and lack of action against speeding are among the major causes of frequent accidents,” he stated.
Former convener of BNP south district unit, Abu Sufian, emphasized that the highway is the only road structure to go to Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban. He criticized the implementation of unnecessary projects like the Karnaphuli river tunnel, while no steps were taken to expand this vital highway.
He demanded necessary development schemes and sufficient budgetary allocation in the next national budget to ensure the safety of innocent people and a safe journey for tourists from home and abroad.
Deputy Attorney General Advocate Farid Uddin Khan described the highway as a death trap. “The volume of traffic has increased many times on the Ctg-Cox’s Bazar highway, but the poor and narrow condition of the highway cannot handle the traffic pressure,” he said. He alleged that after every accident, authorities bluff the people by taking temporary repair works instead of sustainable development programs.
Chairman of the development studies department of Chattogram University (CU), Prof. Md Soaeb, along with other notable figures, also spoke at the function, urging for immediate action to address the highway’s dangers.